Often called “Sactown,” Sacramento, CA is a great destination for locals and out-of-towners alike. From its California Gold Rush history, views of the American River, and easy access to Lake Tahoe, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that nearly 530,000 people are living in Sacramento. The city is growing in popularity and price, so if you’re considering buying a home in here, know that the housing market is very competitive. The median home sale price is $520,000 and the average rent for a 2-bedroom apartment in Sacramento is $2,490.
Don’t worry if that price doesn’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home that does. To help you find the right place to buy a home, we’ve gathered a list of the 6 best affordable Sacramento suburbs to check out. Plus they’re all less than 15 minutes away from the city. You’ll be close enough to explore all of Sacramento’s best activities without paying the price of city life.
#1: North Highlands
Median home price: $425,000
Driving distance from Sacramento: 15 minutes
North Highlands, CA homes for sale
North Highlands, CA apartments for sale
With a median home sale price of $410,000, North Highlands lands the number one spot on our list as the most affordable Sacramento suburb. About 15 minutes from downtown Sacramento, North Highlands is home to roughly 47,700 people. Living in North Highlands, you can spend time exploring Arcade Creek Recreation & Park District, DEFY Sacramento Amusement Center, or Planehaven Park.
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#2: Rio Linda
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Median home price: $431,000
Driving distance from Sacramento: 15 minutes
Rio Linda, CA homes for sale
Rio Linda, CA apartments for sale
Only slightly more expensive than North Highlands is none other than Rio Linda, which is home to roughly 16,500 people. Residents can stop by the Aerospace Museum of California and Wake Island Waterpark for an afternoon of fun. Plus weekend trips into downtown Sacramento will only take 15 minutes if you’re lucky to catch a traffic-free drive.
#3: Parkway
Median home price: $440,000
Driving distance from Sacramento: 15 minutes
Parkway, CA homes for sale
Parkway, CA apartments for sale
Parkway takes the third spot on our list, with a median home sale price of 440,000 and only a 15-minute drive away. There are plenty of charming and outdoorsy activities to participate in when living in Parkway. Make sure to visit Franklin Boyce Community Park if you move to the third most affordable suburb.
#4: Foothill Farms
Median home price: $447,500
Driving distance from Sacramento: 15 minutes
Foothill Farms, CA homes for sale
Foothill Farms, CA apartments for sale
Foothill Farms takes fourth place on our list. The same distance from Sacramento as Parkway, you’ll be exploring the California State Railroad Museum in just a quick drive. Some popular things to do in Foothill Farms are visiting Robert Frost Park. When living in this suburb of 36,000 people, you can also spend the day checking out the charming downtown.
#5: Florin
Median home price: $470,500
Driving distance from Sacramento: 15 minutes
Florin, CA homes for sale
Florin, CA apartments for sale
About a 15-minute drive into the city, consider adding Florin to your list of Sacramento suburbs to consider living in. With 48,000 people living in this affordable town, Florin is a great option to consider when looking to stay close to Sacramento without paying the premium for a home in the city. Living in Florin, you can spend the afternoon at Florin Reservoir Park or Norman Waters Park.
#6: Rosemont
Median home price: $510,000
Driving distance from Sacramento: 15 minutes
Rosemont, CA homes for sale
Rosemont, CA apartments for sale
Rounding out our list of affordable Sacramento suburbs is none other than Rosemont. With a population of about 23,700, Rosemont is a great area to live in that’s not nearly as big as Sacramento. If you find yourself moving to this suburb, make sure to visit Rosemont Community Park.
Methodology
Affordability is based on whether a suburb is less than the median sale price of Sacramento and under a 15-minute drive from downtown Sacramento. Median home sale price data from the Redfin Data Center during June 2022. Average rental data from Rent.com June 2022. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
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